About the Schools and Libraries Program:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Outreach and Training
• Site Visits
• Filing Appeals
• Understanding Audits

Schools and Libraries Tools:

• Apply Online
• Commitments
• Submit a Question
• Latest News
• Calendar/Reminders
• Required Forms
• Reference Area
• Search Tools
• Changes and Corrections
• Suspensions and Debarments
• Program Compliance - Whistleblower Hotline
• Submitting A Complaint

Step 5: How to Interpret the Rural or Urban Classification Search Results

Urban and rural classification for Schools and Libraries program support is based on Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data.

Every school or library in the United States is located in either a rural or an urban area, based on Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data. Applicants must determine if the school or library is rural or urban in order to properly calculate its percentage discount.

Calculations for percentage discounts are always based on data - including rural or urban status - at the level of an individual school or library building.

The Determine Rural or Urban Classification section allows applicants to choose their state, district, or territory from a list and determine the urban or rural status of a school or library. The information here provides a quick interpretation of the search results; the definitions of "rural" and "urban"; and an example of how to interpret search results.

Quick Interpretation of the Search Results

• Rural: If your county is listed in normal type on the Table of Rural Areas by State, your entire county is classified as rural. If your county is listed in bold type, a portion of the county is classified as rural, and the table further identifies the census tracts within such county that are (*ONLY in) or are not (**EXCEPT in) considered rural. If your location, as determined by your specific street address, is considered rural, you are eligible for the rural discount in the discount matrix applicable to the Schools and Libraries Program.
• Urban: If your county is not listed on the Table of Rural Areas by State, or if your county is listed in bold type and states **EXCEPT in the census tract number in which your specific street address falls, you are considered urban. You are eligible for the urban discount in the discount matrix applicable to the Schools and Libraries program.

Definitions of "Rural" and "Urban"

These categories are based on definitions adopted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP/HHS). Counties are first classified as either rural or urban depending on the MSA in which they are located.

• Rural: Schools and libraries located in non-metropolitan counties, as designated by the MSA method, shall be considered rural. However, portions of urban metropolitan counties may be classified as rural if their census block or tract number is identified by "Goldsmith Modification" methodology. The "Goldsmith Modification" identified rural "pocket" areas within larger urban metropolitan counties.
• Urban: Schools and libraries located in metropolitan counties, as measured by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget's MSA method, shall be designated as urban, except for those schools and libraries located within metropolitan counties identified by census block or tract in the "Goldsmith Modification."

Example of How to Interpret Search Results

An example of how the Table of Rural Areas by State can be used is illustrated below:

Sample section of the Table of Rural Areas by State

MASSACHUSETTS

• Barnstable
  *ONLY in 0101, 0102, 0137, 0138, 0139, 0141 Block Group 2 only, 0143-0149, and 0149.99
• Berkshire
  *ONLY in 9201, 9211, 9212, 9213, 9214, 9215, 9251, 9261, 9311, 9321 Block Groups 3-9 only, 9331, 9341, 9351 Block Group 1 only
  Dukes
• Franklin
  **EXCEPT in Sunderland
• Hampden
  *ONLY in 8130 Block Groups 3-6 only and 8138 Block Group 2 only
• Hampshire
  *ONLY in 8202.02, 8226 Block Groups 1, 4, 7 only, and 8227
  Nantucket
• Suffolk
  **EXCEPT in Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop Town
• Worcester
  *ONLY in 0405, 7022, 7031, 7032, 7033, 7042, 7061, 7231 and 7611
  If a school is located in a Massachusetts county that is not identified on the Table of Rural Areas by State, it would be considered "urban." For example, Middlesex County does not appear on this list and therefore the entire county would be considered "urban." Dukes and Nantucket Counties, which are listed in normal type, would be considered entirely "rural." Franklin County, in bold type, would be considered "rural" EXCEPT in Sunderland. Hampden County, also in bold type, would be considered "rural" ONLY in certain areas, specifically Census Tract 8130 Block Groups 3-6 and in Census Tract 8138 Block Group 2.